Global Leaders Gather to Boost Shandong’s Economic Development
— August 27, 2024
BEIJING (AIA) Leaders from multinational corporations and prestigious institutions representing over 20 countries and regions convened in Jinan last week for the 2024 Shandong International Trade and Investment Advisors Roundtable. The event focused on enhancing Shandong’s high-level opening-up and driving high-quality development, providing a platform for participants to offer strategic insights to drive the province’s economic growth.
Lim Gait Tong, President of the China-ASEAN Business Association, highlighted that ASEAN has been Shandong’s largest trading partner for five consecutive years. He suggested that Shandong leverage favourable policies under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to deepen collaboration with ASEAN in areas such as infrastructure, e-commerce, logistics, and artificial intelligence.
“Shandong’s robust and dynamic economy offers numerous opportunities for foreign enterprises seeking win-win cooperation,” said Victor Cadena, Executive Vice President of the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in China. He emphasized Shandong’s pivotal role in China’s economic and social development and praised the province’s business-friendly environment. Cadena reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to expanding collaboration with Shandong for shared prosperity.
Zhan Jingtao, Vice President of Siemens China, stated that Siemens has already forged partnerships with Shandong enterprises in areas like digitalization and decarbonization. He mentioned the Siemens Qingdao Innovation Center’s work with the Qingdao West Coast New Area in building a science and technology innovation hub. Zhan expressed optimism about his company’s cooperation with Shandong to pioneer low-carbon, high-quality development.